GCC Ministerial Council 161st Session: Key Outcomes

The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held its 161st session on September 9, 2024, in Riyadh, issuing a comprehensive statement that reaffirmed Gulf unity, congratulated Saudi Arabia on a successful Hajj season, and addressed pressing regional issues including the situation in Gaza. The meeting, chaired by Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, brought together foreign ministers and senior officials from all six GCC member states to discuss joint cooperation and regional developments.

Context and Background

The GCC Ministerial Council convenes regularly to coordinate policies among member states—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This 161st session, held at the General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh, underscored the council’s role in fostering economic integration, political coordination, and collective security. The meeting was attended by UAE Minister of State Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al Yahya, and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

Key Details

The council began by congratulating the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the success of the Hajj season for the year 1445 AH, expressing appreciation for the efforts and facilities provided by the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in caring for pilgrims and visitors to the Holy Mosque. The council also welcomed the establishment of the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence, a pioneering initiative by Bahrain that promotes a culture of peace, tolerance, and coexistence among civilizations and religions.

In a show of solidarity, the council commended Oman’s measures following the tragic shooting incident in Al Wadi Al Kabeer on July 16, 2024, and offered condolences to the victims’ families. It congratulated the UAE on winning the bid to host the 47th Conference on Research in Space Science (COSPAR 2028) and praised the UAE’s leading role in space. The council also extended condolences to Kuwait regarding the Mangaf fire on June 12, 2024, and congratulated Bahrain on its Olympic success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where it achieved first place at the Arab level.

Further, the council valued UNESCO’s decision to inscribe the “Cultural Landscape of the Al Faw Archaeological Area” in the Riyadh region on the World Heritage List, and congratulated Qatar on the success of the third session of the Arab Economic and Cooperation Forum with Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, held on April 30, 2024, in Doha.

Implications and Impact

The ministerial council reviewed the latest developments in joint Gulf cooperation and political issues. It was briefed on efforts to implement the vision of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud regarding strengthened joint Gulf cooperation, adopted during the 36th Supreme Council session in December 2015. The council approved the integrated learning guide for GCC countries, the future action plan for Ministers of Youth and Sports (2025-2030), and guiding documents in municipal work, and extended the guidance phase for the GCC Building Code for three years starting December 2024.

On Gaza, the council condemned the continued Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and the targeting of Palestinian civilians, demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an end to military operations, and the lifting of the blockade. It held Israel legally accountable for violations constituting war crimes under international humanitarian law. The council rejected justifications for the aggression as self-defense and called on the international community to take necessary measures. It welcomed the joint statement issued on August 8, 2024, by Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and U.S. President Joseph Biden, concerning a ceasefire and negotiations. The council also condemned Israeli Prime Minister’s statements on September 3, 2024, regarding the Philadelphi route, affirming solidarity with Egypt.

Furthermore, the council underscored the importance of a comprehensive plan for the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza and rejected any separation of Gaza from the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. It welcomed the August 7, 2024, statement from the extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Security Council resolution 2735, calling for an immediate ceasefire. The council also welcomed the United Kingdom’s announcement on September 3, 2024, to suspend arms export licenses to Israel, aligning with international calls for ceasefire and civilian protection.

Vision 2030 Alignment

This 161st GCC Ministerial Council meeting reflects the enduring commitment of GCC member states to collective security, economic integration, and humanitarian values. Saudi Arabia’s leadership, under Vision 2030, continues to drive regional cooperation, as evidenced by the council’s praise for the Kingdom’s exemplary organization of the Hajj season and its efforts to promote peace and stability. The council’s decisions on education, youth, and municipal work align with Vision 2030’s goals of enhancing quality of life and fostering sustainable development. As the GCC moves forward, such unified actions will strengthen the region’s global standing and contribute to a prosperous, peaceful future for all.

20 Questions

Q1. When and where did the 161st GCC Ministerial Council meeting take place?

A1. The 161st GCC Ministerial Council meeting took place on September 9, 2024, at the General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Q2. Who chaired the 161st GCC Ministerial Council meeting?

A2. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and current President of the Ministerial Council.

Q3. Which countries attended the 161st GCC Ministerial Council meeting?

A3. All six GCC member states attended: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, represented by their foreign ministers or ministers of state.

Q4. What congratulatory message did the council extend to Saudi Arabia?

A4. The council congratulated Saudi Arabia on the success of the Hajj season for 1445 AH, praising the efforts of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in caring for pilgrims.

Q5. What award did the council welcome, and from which country?

A5. The council welcomed the establishment of the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence, a pioneering initiative by the Kingdom of Bahrain to promote peace and tolerance.

Q6. How did the council respond to the tragic shooting incident in Oman?

A6. The council commended Oman’s measures following the shooting in Al Wadi Al Kabeer on July 16, 2024, and offered sincere condolences to the victims’ families and wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.

Q7. What space-related achievement by the UAE did the council congratulate?

A7. The council congratulated the UAE on winning the bid to host the 47th Conference on Research in Space Science (COSPAR 2028) and praised the UAE’s leading role in space.

Q8. What condolences did the council express regarding Kuwait?

A8. The council expressed heartfelt condolences to Kuwait for the victims of the fire in Mangaf on June 12, 2024, praying for mercy for the deceased and patience for their families.

Q9. How did the council recognize Bahrain’s Olympic achievements?

A9. The council congratulated Bahrain on its Olympic team’s success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning multiple medals and achieving first place at the Arab level.

Q10. What UNESCO decision did the council value?

A10. The council valued UNESCO’s decision to inscribe the “Cultural Landscape of the Al Faw Archaeological Area” in the Riyadh region on the World Heritage List.

Q11. What Qatari event did the council congratulate?

A11. The council congratulated Qatar on the success of the third session of the Arab Economic and Cooperation Forum with Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, held on April 30, 2024, in Doha.

Q12. What vision of King Salman did the council review regarding joint Gulf cooperation?

A12. The council reviewed efforts to implement King Salman’s vision for strengthening joint Gulf cooperation, adopted at the 36th Supreme Council session in December 2015.

Q13. What plans and documents did the council approve for joint Gulf work?

A13. The council approved the integrated learning guide for GCC countries, the future action plan for Ministers of Youth and Sports (2025-2030), and guiding documents in municipal work.

Q14. What decision was made regarding the GCC Building Code?

A14. The council approved extending the guidance phase for the GCC Building Code for an additional three years, starting from December 2024.

Q15. What is the GCC’s stance on the situation in Gaza?

A15. The council condemned Israeli aggression against Gaza, demanded an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and called for lifting the blockade to allow humanitarian aid.

Q16. How did the council respond to Israel’s justifications for its actions in Gaza?

A16. The council rejected any justifications characterizing Israeli aggression as self-defense and called on the international community to take measures under international law.

Q17. What joint statement concerning Gaza did the council welcome?

A17. The council welcomed the August 8, 2024, joint statement by Qatar’s Amir, Egypt’s President, and the U.S. President, calling for a ceasefire and negotiations.

Q18. What did the council say about Israeli statements on the Philadelphi route?

A18. The council condemned Israeli Prime Minister’s September 3, 2024, statements on the Philadelphi route and affirmed solidarity with Egypt against Israeli allegations.

Q19. What comprehensive plan did the council underscore for Gaza’s future?

A19. The council underscored the importance of a plan for the Palestinian Authority’s return to Gaza and rejected any separation of Gaza from the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Q20. What UK announcement did the council welcome regarding Israel?

A20. The council welcomed the UK’s September 3, 2024, announcement to suspend arms export licenses to Israel, aligning with international calls for a ceasefire and civilian protection.

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